New Year's baby arrives on the 2nd.

Saturday

Jan 5, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Carol Bronson

Timothy and Lavica Gates thought they were surely too late. Baby Lorelei Erin was born at 2:11 p.m. Jan. 2, more than 38 hours into 2013. Turns out, however, that New Year's Day had been pretty quiet in the birthing suites at Pratt Regional Medical Center.

In addition to a new bundle of joy, they will take home a big basket of goodies provided by businesses in the Pratt community.

PRMC isn't the closest birthing center to their home in Anthony; Burlington, Okla., is closer, and Wichita is about 70 miles, the same as to Pratt.

"We came here for the first two; we love the hospital here," said Timothy, as Lavica bragged about the amazing care they had received.

The couple wasn't worried about the 70-mile trip, until snow was forecast and then became a reality. Roads were clear, however, when they drove to Pratt Wednesday morning. It did remind them of the trip they had made 18 months ago, when a June rainstorm nearly blew them off the road near Sawyer. They turned back to Medicine Lodge, and waited 45 minutes for the storm to pass, then made it to Pratt without incident, in plenty of time to welcome their son.

Asa and Madelynn, age 4, have been staying with Grandma and were anxious to meet their baby sister. She was also welcomed by grandparents Michael and Susan Gammill, Attica, and Michael and Patty Gates, Bend, Ore., and great-grandmother Marianna Buhr, Colorado.